But additional scoring — and shooting — is not necessarily what the Magic need to set a tone, presumably. Nik Vucevic, Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo can perhaps provide enough of that, with Maurice Harkless picking at the leftovers.

Less offense might mean more production.

The Magic could use somebody — preferably a bigger somebody — who doesn't need the ball and can create better spacing by setting screens and boxing out. They need a bodyguard to protect Vucevic, who is known for his touch, not his toughness.

O'Quinn fits the description of the unheralded blocking back, willing to exhaust all six of his fouls. He can give the smallish Magic what Harris can't when he's playing the role of Vucevic's rugged wingman:

Less finesse, more force.

No one knows whether Vaughn will begin the regular season with O'Quinn on the floor and Harris coming off the bench to provide offensive punch at both forward spots. Looking for the best fit and for heightened physical play, the coach just might be tinkering. Or he might go with a O'Quinn/Vucevic pairing for stretches at any point.

If you were picking teams in a gym, you'd pick Harris over O'Quinn every time. He's the show pony; O'Quinn is the plow horse.

And frankly, nothing could tip off the NBA to investigate the Magic for tanking like O'Quinn starting over Harris.

I jest, but holstering Harris' shot a little is actually a brilliant plan for 2013-14 (Hello again, Andrew Wiggins). Harris can get hot enough to win you some games, but there's no point in diminishing your lottery chances.

Everyone assumed Harris would be starting after he came over from Milwaukee in the J.J. Redick trade last season. Certainly, Tobias assumed so.

He displayed an innate ability to put the ball in the hole with Glen Davis sidelined. Fans were excited they got a return on Redick.

O'Quinn made the team last season as a second-round pick out of Norfolk State. Although an adept passer, he knows his best chance for playing time is to learn how to be physical without fouling and essentially clear the clutter for Vucevic.

Vucevic is on the rise, an ambidextrous center who can become the Magic's centerpiece. He's had to play the part of their do-it-all big in a downsized lineup, charged with grabbing all the rebounds he can.

Vucevic will command the ball more, drawing increased defensive attention. He could flirt with foul trouble trying to be turn up his aggressiveness. Vooch needs a muscular sidekick who essentially can be his 6-foot-11 alter ego, the Hulk to his Bruce Banner.

O'Quinn has no idea if he'll be a regular, but he likes starting because, "Nik and I play well together offensively. Defensively, we know to how to work off each other. There isn't a 'you're out there by yourself on an island.' Coach likes it. We love it."

O'Quinn accepts his hard-hat role.

"Nik's a more skilled big. Lefty, righty, left hook, right hook . . . that's what he does," he said. "I just do the dirty work, the things he shouldn't have to do."